Contrite though he was, it was a grateful Jay Severin who returned to WTKK’s airwaves yesterday to deliver an apology for his “hurtful, unkind and wrong” on-air remarks about illegal Mexican immigrants.

“Best and brightest, I wish to offer and trust you will consider my sincere apology,” Severin said at the start of his afternoon-drive show. “My remarks were hurtful, unkind and wrong. For these remarks and for failing to meet the standards you are right to expect of me, I am sincerely sorry.”

Appearing energized and animated as he delivered his two-and-a-half minute apology at the Dorchester studio, Severin said he was “especially” sorry to the Mexican and Mexican-American community. “I regret my remarks and apologize for them. I am sorry.”

The conservative talker was suspended April 30 for making crude comments about illegal Mexican immigrants, which included calling them “leeches” and some of the “world’s lowest primitives” while talking about the swine flu on his WTKK-FM (96.9) show.

As for those who weren’t offended, Severin said he still let them down by “appealing to something less then the ‘best and brightest’ in you, and for this I am also sorry.”

Severin said he was “tremendously eager to renew and make better” his show. “You have my personal pledge that I will do my best to make ours the best show on radio,” he said. “And, as ever, thank you for my job.”

After apologizing, Severin dove into a discussion about President Obama’s Supreme Court nomination, Judge Sonia Sotomayor.

The first caller to his show, “Daniel,” told Severin it was good to hear him and the several that followed welcomed him back.

But about 90 minutes into his program, “John” called in and criticized Severin for choosing Sotomayor as his first topic.

“It just appeared to me that nothing’s changed,” said John. “If what Sotomayor said disqualifies her from the bench . . . what you said clearly should disqualify you from the air. I’m very disappointed you’re back on the airwaves and your listeners and your sponsors really need to look in the mirror.”

Severin replied: “When we look in the mirror, what we see is a frightening visage of fascists like you coming after us to take away our free speech . . . I’m here and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Franklin Soults, spokesman for the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, which took offense to Severin’s remarks, said he appreciates Severin’s apology and hopes it’s sincere.

Jessica Heslam joined the Herald in 2000 and was an award-winning reporter who covered some of the region’s biggest news stories before being named columnist in 2011. She writes about media, breaking news, politics and human interest, excelling at getting the tough interviews and giving readers some of Boston's most emotional stories. Follow her on Twitter @JessicaHeslam.